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UnguentSlather t1_jduv6r5 wrote

This subreddit is notoriously anti-AC, so you are not going to get the positive answer you seek. Maybe do some googling and see how that pans out.

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GooseNYC t1_jdux1sa wrote

I don't consider myself anti-AC, but it's a poor, run-down, crime and drug-infested area.

The boardwalk reflects this.

I have only had a few Atlantic County cases, but I have a friend who does PI and criminal and has an office there. It's rife with criminals, on the street and even in the city government. The mayor got into a fist fight with someone at a casino recently.

Ocean City, either NJ or MD, is the place to go.

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i-have-n0-idea t1_jduzdct wrote

So we went to AC this past summer. Walked the boardwalk with kids, both teens. They had some things to do, rides, candy shop, etc. would I leave my teens to roam the board walk while I went to a casino. Definitely not. Numerous drunk/ high individuals roaming the board walk. One or two where visibly agitated and punching walls. This was around 11-2 am so I only imagine the evening would be worse.

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coreynj2461 t1_jdv5eh1 wrote

Is the Bader field area safe?

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fkadrdra t1_jdxdd0x wrote

Relatively, but there's not much to do there unless there's an event. The university is near there though.

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Jake_FromStateFarm27 t1_jdvgfgt wrote

Not anti-AC in fact I love it! However it really isn't everyone's cup of tea and most definitely isn't the beat optiona for families with young children, there are far better options. Teenagers may be able to survive the torture of it, but you might as well just go to seaside at that point.

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garbageeater OP t1_jduvl7z wrote

I did and it seems fine but the hostile reaction to the idea last time had me second guessing. Obviously firsthand experiences are best so I’m curious but it’s interesting to hear there’s a bias here

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Top_Ad5385 t1_jduw7nc wrote

Apparently Showboat got rid of its casino and now has a brand new child-frjendly arcade and go kart track called Lucky Snake Arcade.

However I'd keep a very tight eye on your kids in any kind of Atlantic City arcade.

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sheerglitz t1_jdv5bi0 wrote

I have a home in Brigantine - we have taken our 6year old to the boardwalk multiple times as a family. it is especially nice in the spring. Would I choose Steel Pier over Wildwood? No. Would I let my teen wander alone while I sat at a slot machine? Hell no. But there is still plenty to do. Showboat and Oceans are most kid-friendly areas. I would suggest going mid-morning and wouldn't let them venture off alone - AC still has sketchy people

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i-have-n0-idea t1_jduzoqd wrote

I think if you stay with your kids you should be fine. I would not let them roam unattended. There are some shady individuals on the boardwalk.

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SquirrelEnthusiast t1_jdv59aw wrote

There's just much nicer places than AC and we want to make sure you get the best experience!!

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Cell-Based-Meat t1_jdw78qf wrote

Can you blame it though? It’s not a great place. Someone gets shot there pretty much every week.

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Sudovoodoo80 t1_jdwv8q7 wrote

Helicopter parents out in force.

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Top_Ad5385 t1_jdx3c5a wrote

I don't know if it is helicopter parents as much as "getting sexually harassed or assaulted as a kid or teen sucks."

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Sudovoodoo80 t1_jdx597t wrote

Please. As a teenager I had free roam of the world. Kids never going to learn to fend for themselves if you never let them fend for themselves. A group of teenagers on the AC boardwalk are in no danger. Stop watching so much "news".

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Veruca_Manson t1_jdzgu1y wrote

So you'd be fine letting your kids run amuck in 1970s NYC? Or how about exploring outside designated safe areas in Mexico today? There's a difference between "toughing up the kids" and gross negligence. Even the most trustworthy kids... not safe at all unsupervised in AC.

AC is NOT a place for kids. Period. I get sketched out as a grown adult female. Especially at night. Especially after Covid, where there are long stretches of boardwalk without a safe haven to run into for several blocks.

My parents forced me to go to AC one year as a teen for summer vacation. I nearly died from boredom and parental anxiety/fear. But that was better than some of the possible alternatives.

Having been a victim of sexual abuse and harassment, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, nervermind a human being I was actually responsible for.

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Sudovoodoo80 t1_je0ia3a wrote

The op asked for opinions. I gave mine. Don't like it? Don't follow it. It's none of my business if you want to raise kids that can't deal with the world.

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Veruca_Manson t1_je0rnf8 wrote

I gave mine as well. Only fair. I hope you don't or never will have daughters. Or at least have daughters with a partner who understands the world better than you.

It's one thing to be ignorant. It's another to have wisdom and ignore that wisdom.

Would you wipe your ass then eat with the same hand? Someone from 500 years ago might. Someone from today? No way in hell.

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Sudovoodoo80 t1_je189o2 wrote

You going to go with your daughters to college? Or teach them now how to avoid trouble? Sheltered kids don't suddenly get street wise, it's something they learn. But hey, that's what choice is all about, your mine and theirs. Good luck out there in the big scary world.

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Veruca_Manson t1_je1edib wrote

Difference is college is for college aged kids. AC is for adults, not teenagers. Next you tell me it's cool to send a 4 year old to boot camp. Can't wait.

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Sudovoodoo80 t1_je1gu5s wrote

When they get to college they are literally teenagers. Usually 18. We're done here.

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Veruca_Manson t1_je1ia3s wrote

Lol not really. But you're obviously out of ammo. Guess ignorance was the case here.

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